Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 439

He stood frozen in disbelief, eyes wide with confusion-and an odd flicker of heartbreak. His arms hung stiffly in the air, as if unsure what to do.

"Orion's little sister?" he echoed, incredulous.

Claire lifted her head from his chest. Her eyes and nose were crimson from crying, and her face was streaked with tears. She looked heartbreakingly small and vulnerable.

She gazed up at Sean's young face, almost hungrily, as if she was trying to memorize every detail, to etch his features into her heart forever.

In her past life, it had all been her fault. She'd insisted on going into the mountains

to witness Vanessa's tragedy for herself, and because of that, Mr. Foster's legs were crushed by falling rocks. She'd died too soon, never living to see him walk again.

If Mr. Foster's legs could never heal because of her, that pain would be worse than death itself.

Mr. Foster had always treated her with such kindness. She couldn't even bear to imagine how devastated he must have been when he'd found her lifeless body.

The thought made Claire sob even harder. Through her tears, she choked out, "Mr. Foster, I missed you so much... I really, really missed you...'

Her grief overwhelmed her, and she clung to Sean's waist with desperate strength, as if letting go would make him vanish before her eyes.

Sean, who was always so stoic and reserved, suddenly looked completely lost. "D-Don't... don't cry," he stammered.

reached up with small hands to

time anyone had hugged him so

time a child had ever

him, but if so, why

Sean-usually so

wiped away Claire's tears, but more kept streaming down, no matter how many times he

I won't ever leave you again. I

quite understand what she was saying. All

the little girl in front of him sob until she couldn't catch her breath something inside

filled with an

to comfort Claire, but just then, Orion's angry shout rang out: “Sean, what are you

over and shoved Sean aside, pulling Claire protectively

arms.

why are you picking on my

Claire slipped from his grasp,

cold mask as he faced Orion. "I

bristled. "If you weren't, then why is my

had no idea why his presence had made

it must mean you did

and Zachary exchanged confused looks with

quickly struggled out of Orion's embrace. "He didn't do anything to me," she